Two weeks ago we suggested that the
government would attempt to rush the Civil Union Bill
through Parliament before Christmas. Despite denials from
government MPs that it was a rush and that the select
committee had not been asked to report back early, it has
been confirmed that the Second Reading will be held next
Thursday, 2 December. The select committee report will be
released next Monday and is likely to make some significant
changes which further emphasise that this Bill effectively
creates same-sex marriage in New Zealand.

Amongst
recommendations expected by the majority of Labour MPs and a
Green MP is a clause that describe civil unions as being
'lifelong and exclusive', a term not even used in the
Marriage Act. However, there isn't likely to be any penalty
for breaking this. This is an attempt to add a social
understanding of marriage into civil union law. The bill
will also retain a highly controversial clause that allows a
heterosexual couple to transfer a civil union to marriage
and vice versa. This shows that a civil union and marriage
are in fact interchangeable, although same-sex couples will
not be eligible. It is almost certain this will be contested
in the High Court on the grounds it is discriminatory. It is
also possible that in response to a few submissions a new
provision will be added that allows same-sex marriages and
civil unions registered overseas to be recognised in New
Zealand.

If the Civil Union Bill passes the second vote
next week, it appears the government will use urgency to
push it through its final stages a week later. This will
make it the fastest same-sex marriage law in the world -
less than six months from start to finish. As a conscience
vote, it is simply too contentious and important to be
rushed. To help prevent this law being passed by Christmas,
please call your MP and ask them to vote against it. Maxim's
website has been updated with new information and analysis
on the Bills, along with simple steps to take action - just
visit: http://www.maxim.org.nz/civilunions

NCEA tests
loyalty to government policy

The latest NCEA level 3
(seventh form) economics examination provides a startling
insight into what our students are being taught and tested
on at high school.

The introduction to question 4 (b)
stated: "New Zealand Government policies in the last twenty
years have been more "free market". In the same period,
inequality has increased and the gap between rich and poor
has grown wider." Students were asked to, "explain why using
'free market' policies causes income inequality." Are pupils
also being taught the political implications of such a
question? If income inequality is treated as an example of
'market failure' which needs to be fixed by government
regulation (rather than simply a reality of life), it
becomes a political position rather than an economic one.

The exam also asked pupils to explain why the 'free'
state education provided by the New Zealand government
"results in a better resource allocation than the free
market..." It suggests that 'resource allocation', as
defined by the curriculum, is more important than other
values, such as parental access and responsibility, and
freedom for local schools to respond to the needs of their
community.

Learning how to argue both sides of a
proposition is helpful, and understanding differing
viewpoints on an issue is important, especially when it
comes to the compulsory national curriculum. When pupils are
tested on such politically loaded questions, one has to
question whether this is state education or state
indoctrination.

Select group rewrite Charities Bill

Another controversial piece of legislation being ushered
through Parliament is the Charities Commission Bill, which
is now being substantially rewritten following consultation
with a select group of organisations.

When the Bill was
released, it attracted around 750 submissions, most of them
from charitable organisations strongly opposed. The
government realised a rewrite was necessary, and said it
would consult with organisations over this. It nominated 30
organisations it would consult with, and allocated just two
sessions, the second one on Monday this week.

Although
the process has barely begun and the Select Committee has
yet to see the rewrite, the new Bill is due to be reported
back to Parliament on 10 December. None of the charities
will be given the opportunity to see the new version, or to
make further submissions. There is also concern that the
Bill will be passed under urgency before Christmas.

The
original Bill contained many draconian provisions, including
the threat of deregistration if a charitable organisation
engaged in political lobbying. There has been no indication
from the government it will alter this in the revised
version.

Compass conference speakers confirmed

Maxim Institute staff will be among the local and
international speakers presenting to over 100 young leaders
from around New Zealand in January at the Compass summer
conference.

Topics that Maxim will be presenting include:
The role of law in society, Hate speech and language
control, the New Zealand political spectrum, the role of the
family in society, and feminism.

To see the full speaker
list, visit: http://www.compass.org.nz/events/speaker.php

To find out more about the conference visit:
http://www.compass.org.nz

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - Helen
Keller (1880-1968)

I am only one; but still I am one. I
cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will
not refuse to do the something I can do.

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